|
OneWorld looks for reform before making decision on future America`s Cup
|
|
|
|
| America`s Cup - OneWorld Challenge - OneWorld looks for reform before making decision on future America`s Cup |
| AUCKLAND, NZL-(19-1-2003) The OneWorld Challenge for the 31st
Ameerica's Cup announced today that the team's owners have decided to
wrap-up operations in Auckland and suspend planning a further challenge
for the next America's Cup until they see how the next event will be
organized and run. Earlier today the team's owners notified members,
team sponsors and the Seattle Yacht Club of the decision to evaluate
their options at a later date.
'The spirit of the America's Cup has to be about tough competition on
the water and camaraderie off the water. Many current and former
participants have wonderful ideas about how to change and improve the
event,” said OneWorld Founder Craig McCaw. 'I would be happy to be a
part of the reform discussions that I believe are sorely needed, but
until I see some leadership in that area I would not want to proceed and
in effect be endorsing the present situation. While the atmosphere of
the event has at times been difficult for us in Auckland we continue to
love the city and the people of New Zealand and hope the racing can be
completed in a way that honors the Kiwi spirit.' The team and I are
especially grateful to Paul Allen who is a great and honorable partner,
he stepped up and stood behind the team when raising sponsorship dollars
was difficult in the post September 11th environment and a struggling
economy.
The owners of OneWorld believe that the America's Cup is a wonderful
event. 'We have great respect for our fellow competitors who gathered
in Auckland for the competition. Great creativity has been showed by
many of the teams and we are pleased that a number of the challengers
have discussed openly with us their ideas to encourage this to be the
great sporting event it has the potential to be,” said McCaw.
'The OneWorld team is, in our opinion, probably the finest group of men
and women ever assembled for the purpose of winning the America's Cup,”
said OneWorld owners Paul Allen and Craig McCaw in a prepared statement
given to the team. 'We are proud of the effort that each put forward in
the face of adversity. We hope to be fortunate enough to sail with them
another day.”
'Words cannot begin to describe the pride we all feel for the OneWorld
team,” said Gary Wright, OneWorld's CEO. 'To a man, they are one of
the finest group of people I have had the privilege to work with in my
life. Through this difficult game, we were fortunate to have owners,
sponsors and suppliers who shared our values and our vision, and who
stood behind us and allowed us to compete. We were so fortunate to have
Ford and SAIC as founding technical partners along the way. I
completely endorse Paul and Craig's approach here and hope for the best
as the future will be determined by the defender and challengers who
assemble at the end of America's Cup XXXI.
|
Source: Bob Ratliffe - OneWorld Challenge |
